E30 Zone

Hi,

I have a bmw E30 325i Touring and I miss the aircon from my other newer cars I have owned.

Anyone got any ideas or help?

yes you can, aslong as you have all the parts needed

Two different air con systems were fitted to E30s - a factory fitted version and another version fitted by BMW dealers, which is recognisable by vent grills in the cabin in the stowage area in front of the front ashtray and lighter.
I know from experience that the performance of the factory version is quite good, but the reputation of the dealer fitted system is nowhere near as good.
Retro fitting a factory set up is quite 'do able', with the electrics all present in the cabin wiring loom and fusebox, and to the loom that should be attached to the air con heater box. Just needs the additional (and easily fabricated) loom to the electric fan and thermoswitch, and to the aircon compressor.

The factory fit system isn't too complicated, but requires access to the heater box in the dash, which is supposed to be quite annoying to get to!

From the top of my head, under the bonnet you need a specific (large) radiator with a temperature sensor/switch, heat exchanger with fan, belt driven compressor and strange canister item (condenser?) just in front of the driver side wheel.

Never done the retrofit before, as mine had it from factory (but has a broken pipe), but some people sell full AC setups from cars they have dismantled so that might be a good place to start.

Brianmoooore wrote:Two different air con systems were fitted to E30s - a factory fitted version and another version fitted by BMW dealers, which is recognisable by vent grills in the cabin in the stowage area in front of the front ashtray and lighter.
I know from experience that the performance of the factory version is quite good, but the reputation of the dealer fitted system is nowhere near as good.
Retro fitting a factory set up is quite 'do able', with the electrics all present in the cabin wiring loom and fusebox, and to the loom that should be attached to the air con heater box. Just needs the additional (and easily fabricated) loom to the electric fan and thermoswitch, and to the aircon compressor.

Thanks alot. I'd love to get a factory kit but I'm guessing I'd be best getting a kit fitted be professional work shop.

HI M8 I HAVE A AIR CON HEATER BOX IF YOUR INTERESTED

You'll need to get it all gassed up by professionals, but the donkey work of retro fitting the factory stuff is basic DIY stuff.